2 comments about Alfred Maudslay and the Maya: A Biography.

1. A long overdue biography of the great mayanist traveller, explorer and early archaeologist. Graham does a good job of weaving together information from personal interviews, letters, journals and notes. I found it a highly readable and informative account of his life and accomplishments. It lends a human touch to a name which comes up over and over in reading on the ancient Maya. It also provides a fascinating early travelogue of central america 50 years after Stephens and Catherwood. Graham has a keen appreciation of the challenges Maudslay faced in his self appointed task of recording as many mayan monuments and inscriptions as he could, a career path which indeed echoes his own.



2. Ian Graham's intelligent and accessible biography of the great Mayanist Alfred Maudslay is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of archaeology in the Maya region. Graham helps you see the difficulty and cost, both financial and personal, that this kind of obsession creates, making Maudslay's work that much more compelling. The only downside (smile) to reading this book is that you may be forced (forced!) as I was, to find a decent and expensive copy of the Maudslay archaeology volumes of Biologia Centrali-Americana, which becomes a must-have, once you've read Graham.

2 comments about Eminent Georgians: The Lives of King George V, Elizabeth Bowen, St. John Philby, and Lady Astor.

1. John Halperin takes Lytton Strachey as his model and provides four short lives of people he views as emblematic of the "second Georgian" era - King Geroge V himself, Elizabeth Bowen, St. John Philby and Nancy Astor. The results are interesting without being particularly memorable. Halperin tells his stories in a plain documentary fashion, without much analysis and with none of the mordant wit or strong opinions of Strachey's nasty little classic. Such a straightforward approach works best if bolsered by extensive research, but the slim bibliography indicates a newspaper profile rather than an original and insightful work. All this being said, Bowen, Philby and Astor are interesting enough as people to making reading "Eminent Georgians" worthwhile. As for the good King George, it will take a much more persuasive writer to bring that admirable but dull monarch to life on the page.



2. This certainly isn't Lytton Strachey. Like Strachey and Richard Holmes, however, Halperin well realizes the inherent great enjoyability of very short biographies of extremely interesting people. There seems to be almost no original research here, and Halperin is willing to make an extremely shallow and lazy transition to an anecdote just to squeeze it in, but he does write with grace (and has an eye for a great story). Oddly, there's a running theme throughout the book: the perfidy of what Halperin extremely loosely calls "treason," although what he means by treason seems so broad at times as to be almost meaningless. The best lives here are of the stodgy George V and the hilariously irreverent Nancy Astor, because with both Halperin seems really to have a new angle he wants to bring out; while his willingness to applaud the late king for his steadfastness and decency as compared to his eldest son's thorough rottenness, it does not seem to occur to Halperin that Edward VIII's character might be in part due to his parents' legendarily neglectful cold and neglectful care. Halperin's extremely heavyhanded evaluations of Elizabeth Bowen's novels are also a bit puzzling, although Bowen's exceptionally eventful life and character make up for his judgmentalism towards her fiction.

5 comments about Ringo Starr: Straight Man or Joker.

1. i bought this book on ringo starr---read only some of it.it was boring and uninteresting.i did not like the style of writing at all.i learnt little about ringo in this book....i returned the book for a refund!



2. This book is just hard to read -- period. One would think that a biography on Ringo would be like himself -- fun. Instead, Clayson wrote a book on an interesting subject and made it as much fun to read as the collected works of Milton. Maybe Clayson is embarrassed that a writer of his "caliber" is churning out books on Ringo, instead of writing the great British novel, and wants the reader to suffer along with him. God knows he seems more intent on showing the reader how smart he is, rather than informing and entertaining us.

   Clayson also seems focused on Pete Best, who I guess gave him an interview (Ringo would not). Finally, there are many sloppy factual errors in the book. The one error I found most ridiculous was Clayson's saying that there was trumpet on Helter Skelter. A trumpet? Is he sure there wasn't a fiddle and banjo on that one too?

   One of the few interesting things about the book is a picture of Ringo as Elton John tries to kiss him. His expression is priceless.




3. When I was a little girl, Ringo was my all time favorite Beatle (and I was a major Beatles FAN)! For years I hoped a good, comprehensive biography of the world's most famous drummer would be published, so I naturally expected this book to fit the tab.

   Wrong! It is written in a rather pedantic, condescending tone and offers very little in the way of new information. Instead of treating Ringo with respect, the author appears to trivialize the major obstacles Ringo had to overcome to attain the level of success that he did.

   Although I was very disappointed by this book, I am glad to see that Ringo is getting more coverage. My suggestion? Skip this. Read the Beatles' "Anthology" instead. You'll be glad you did.




4. There are many books about The Beatles but most of them focus on the accomplishments of the group as a whole or the exploits of Lennon and McCartney, and to a lesser extent, George Harrison. Ringo Starr is usually overshadowed, so a biography on his life should have been a worthy addition to any Beatle fan's bookshelf. Unfortunately, it's not the book it could have been and ultimately disappoints.
   Beginning in his teddy boy days in Liverpool and ending with his first "All Starr Band" tour, this biography does have segments to recommend it. In particular, the chapters covering 1970-1990, as Ringo's post-Beatle life has been chronicled less than his days as a mop top. We get some insight into his successes and failures in this period including wayward record deals and a bout with alcoholism.
   Sadly though, Clayson's book fails to get close to his subject in any meaningful way. Ringo wasn't interviewed for it and nor were any direct family or former lovers or any of the other Beatles or Beatle sidekicks or musicians who worked with his after the break up. Clayson relies almost solely on newspaper stories, articles in the music press and other author's books to piece together Ringo's story. Those interviewed for the book are a bunch of no-names who could probably call themselves acquaintances of the man but nothing more. It's obvious that Starr and everyone who is really close to him, decided not to cooperate with the author, so Clayson's book reads like a scrappy research project cluttered with endless footnotes. Because of this, the book lacks depth and we learn little of the man who was once Richard Starkey. Clayson's writing style is also quite awkward because he tries to string together forty to fifty referenced quotes into each chapter, making it read like a university thesis at times. The odd factual tidbits are the only thing that recommend it because other than that, it's a hollow book, lacking both insight or emotion.



5. Glad to see that other reviewers share my thoughts on this infuriating "Maze" of a book. By the end of the first page you realize that you've walked into something that's hopelessly tangled and confused. You keep stumbling on in the vain hope that the whole nasty mess will EVENTUALLY "Straighten itself Out" . No such luck. Your persistence DOESN'T pay off. The endless twists and turns only get worse. I bought my copy for [money amount]at a local market. Boy, what a waste of Money!I started to read it late one evening. After a couple of minutes I found myself mumbling such comments as "What the hell is this all About ?". It's like reading a foreign language .... I couldn't "Cotton On" to ANYTHING he was saying. By page 23 I'd had enough . Suitable only for use as a doorstop when those hot North winds start to blow. ...

No comments about The Art of Acting in The Drama.

No comments about Arise Sir Terry Wogan: The Biography of Britain's Best-Loved Broadcaster.

3 comments about The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave, Related by Herself: Revised Edition.

1. First published in 1831, "The History of Mary Prince" is an extraordinary cultural document. It is the first published account of a female British ex-slave. Mary Prince, a slave in the West Indies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, tells the story of her life in an effort to awaken sympathy for the abolitionist movement in England.

   Mary particularly emphasizes instances of the arbitrary punishments meted out by her various masters. She repeatedly questions how the British, a civilized nation, could permit its colonists to treat its colonial work force like brute beasts. Mary elicits our attention and respect in the ways she manages to resist the brutality of her masters, both physically and vocally. She often shows herself speaking out against cruelty regardless of social taboos, accepted colonial norms of unquestioning obedience, and the image of the "benevolent" slave owner.

   Mary's narrative is also remarkable for her characterization as the "self-made heroine." Mary tells us extensively about her attempts to save enough money to purchase her freedom, and to engage, convert, and marry the man of her choice. As the editor of this edition points out, as Mary begins to learn the value of her labor, she more easily manipulates her owners into realizing their own powerlessness over her. A sort of Wollstonecraftian feminist hero, Mary Prince bases her self-definition on her ability to be financially, as well as physically independent, and to improve herself through education and religion.

   One limitation of "The History of Mary Prince" is the fact that it was only dictated by Prince. It was transcribed and published by British abolitionists, who may have suggested the emphasis on brutality and deemphasis on specifically sexual violence. It is impossible to know the extent of the editing process, which was out of Prince's hands. Nonetheless, this edition, edited by Moira Ferguson, contains many relevant historical documents which provide a rich context for Prince's narrative.




2. Born in Bermuda in the late 18th century, Mary Prince was a Black woman who survived enslavement in the colonial world of the Caribbean. She orally told her story to a third party, who transcribed it. First published in England in 1831, "The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave" is one of the most important narratives of the slave experience in the Americas.

   This book describes in detail the reality of the slave experience: the dehumanization of Black people, the moral degradation of their masters, and the ever-present violence. Prince's story is also an important early defense of the humanity of people of African descent. She notes that slave masters "think that black people are like cattle, without natural affection. But my heart tells me it is far otherwise."

   Prince tells of her labor in the salt ponds of Turk's Island, her conflict with a hired mulatto woman, her spiritual life in the Moravian Church, and many other topics. Ultimately, she celebrates the desire and hope for freedom: "All slaves want to be free."

   "The History of Mary Prince" does not quite attain the level of literary craftsmanship and psychological complexity as do some other classic slave narratives (I am thinking in particular of those of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs). But it is still a powerful, authoritative, and important human testament. Mary Prince declares, "I have been a slave--I have felt what a slave feels, and I know what a slave knows." We of later centuries need to hear her words.




3. I love this book, I got the book to learn more about slavery in the Caribbean and it gave not only an insider view but also the story about how slaves were captured in Africa was a great added bonus.

5 comments about Jane Austen's World: The Life and Times of England's Most Popular Author.

1. This books is so informative! Easy to read, lots of information about the Georgian and Regency Eras, very informative. It goes into depth about Jane Austen's time and her life. It talks about everything from the Army, to everyday life, to the madness of King George, fashion, etc.. So much info! If you're into history or Jane Austen, you'll like this book.



2. This is a really great book. I'm a fan of Jane Austen and have read all her novels but there were many things in them that I didn't understand because I didn't know the culture, customs and history of that time. Just one small example--Mr. Darcy hands his letter to Elizabeth Bennett instead of mailing it. Apparently unmarried men and women did not correspond with each other unless they were relatives or engaged to be married. Another example--balls and dances were a primary way for unmarried people to meet and socialize and one of the few ways they could talk alone to each other (while on the dance floor). So the balls/dances in Jane Austen's books are much more significant than I realized.

   I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand Jane Austen's novels better.




3. These days many books come along that discuss specific influences on Jane's writing such as poets, other authors, politics and social customs. This book allows a return to the overview of her story. The hard cover book is 8 x 11 in. which makes it easy to be a coffee table presentation or to read in a comfortable upright chair or even in bed (Yes, I do it!) Six well written chapters choronical her life, who she was, what it was like to live in Regency England, the society and spirit of her times, what her country was like, and her influence through the ages especially via her six novels and in the recent movies and television productions. For the old timers who have followed Jane Austen for some time or for the new comers wanting to know more, this is the book for you.



4. This is an enjoyable flip-through for Jane Austen and Regency lovers, but because the format limits the length of any entry, it is a rather abbreviated overview without a lot of depth. Many of the entries had me yearning for more information, especially those items about social mores, society, relationships within the family, etc.



5. Author, and Jane Austen scholar Maggie Lane's lushly illustrated and thoroughly delightful volume on Jane Austen's life, times and works is one of my Austen favorites in my library.
   
   I gravitate to this lovely volume on my shelf when I need a quick Austen escape. Its large coffee table format allows for lush color photographs and period illustrations on each page, and author Maggie Lane was cleverly arranged the keynotes into five chapters, representing important aspects of Austen's world; Who was Jane Austen? Daily Life in Jane Austen's England, Society and the Spirit of the Age, The Visual World, and The Immortal Jane Austen. This volume also includes a well written introduction, chronology, helpful index and author's acknowledgments. Here is an example of the first topic in chapter one...
   
   Chapter One: Who is Jane Austen?
   
   The Woman: We learn about Jane Austen's birth, family and home environment that nurtured her genius. Her physical appearance, character and personality are described and exemplified by Lane's thorough research, aptly including insightful quotes from her letters and family reflections.
   
   "Her unusually quick sense of the ridiculous inclined her to play with the trifling commonplaces of everyday life, whether as regarded people or things; but she never played with its serious duties or responsibilities - when she was grave, she was very grave." Anna Austen Lefroy
   
   Inevitably, comparisons of Austen's personality lead to the paring of her attitudes and personality with the characteristics of her own heroines. Even though each of her heroines is highly individual, Lane hints at similarities in the characters of Elizabeth Bennet, Emma Woodhouse and Anne Elliot, and though I agree for the most part, I was amused to see how one can find what they need to suit, by reason and ingenuity.
   
   The chapters are broken down further by topics and continue in chapter one as follows; The Writer, Beliefs and Values, The Letters, The Portraits, Family Background, Home at Steventon, The six brothers, Some female relations, Love and friendship, Family visits, Bath and the West Country, and Return to Hampshire.
   
   Even though Maggie Lane is qualified to write a scholarly treatise, she knows her audience, and her light style is approachable and engaging. She includes enough biographical and historical detail to introduce us to the subject, and not weigh it down with heavy language and minutia. The photographs and illustration have been thoughtfully selected, significant to the topic, and important historically. Her scholarship is exemplary.
   
   This is my favorite Austen book to give as a gift as an introduction to Jane Austen, and as eye candy to the indoctrinated. It has never failed to please, and I hope that we shall see many additional editions for future readers.
   
   Posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

No comments about Eminent Churchillians.

5 comments about Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece.

1. I love reading biographies about women and I thought this would be interesting. It was, in some respects. She lead an interesting life - certainly a typical royal life with a little mental illness thrown in. But it seems the reader needs to have a companion book to sort out the relationships between all the royals in all of Europe. Every page had a reference to somebody who was related to somebody else - all people I haven't heard of and frankly don't care about. But, hey, that's me. If all the name dropping was eliminated, the book would have been much more readible.



2. I knew a little about Alice from my reading about the British Royals, but learned a lot from this book. The author has supplied much information I had not known before. Some parts are very sad and others amusing such as a female relative scolding Alice for smoking while dressed in her nun's habit.
   
   I think she is much more interesting than the present group of Royals!



3. I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the "mysterious/hidden" Princess. I have never been able to find out much about her. I knew the book would be good because the author was Hugo Vickers. I wasn't disappointed. I would have enjoyed more pictures, but then we all want more pictures.



4. well done book of prince philip's mother . fascinating reading , and very readable . highly recommend , interesting tidbits of her mother , the no nonsense dowager marchioness of milford haven.



5. This book picked up a little more steam after the mid-point, but for the most part it was pretty boring. It was also terribly biased, which could be expected, since Prince Philip asked the author to write this book.
   
   Alice lived during some of the most interesting times in world history, and yet I found myself pushing myself through this book. I'd probably have stopped reading it if I didn't have a little quirk about always finishing whatever book I start, no matter how badly written or boring it is.
   
   I'm afraid the simple fact of the matter is that, from reading this book, I have to conclude that there was really nothing special about Alice, Princess Andrew, except that she was Prince Philip's mother (and she hardly ever saw him, so they weren't even close). I'm sure that's not the case -- I'm sure there were plenty of interesting things about her, and she lived during some of the most interesting times in world history. But this book fails to bring any of that excitement out. So maybe it's Vickers' fault . . . or maybe there was too much oversight by the Royal Family. Hard to say, but this book is only worth a read if you are a real dyed in the wool fan of royalty.

No comments about Henry IV: The Establishment of the Regime, 1399-1406.